Process for the preparation of steroidal spirolactones and intermediates

ABSTRACT

WHEREIN R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R2 is defined above, with a thioalkanoic acid of the formula   WHEREIN R1 is a linear alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R2 is hydrogen or methyl comprising the steps reacting a compound of the formula The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of steroidal spirolactones having the formula

United States Patent [1 1 Warnant et al.

[ PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF STEROIDAL SPIROLACTONES AND INTERMEDIATES [75] inventors: Julien Warnant, Neuilly-sur-Seine;

Jean Jolly, Fontenay-sous-Bois, both of France \[73] Assignee: Roussel Uclaf, Paris, France [22] Filed: Feb. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 438,601

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-Elbert L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, or Firml'lammond & Littell i5 7] ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of steroidal spirolactones having the formula 1 July 29,1975

O scoR wherein R is a linear alkyl having l to 4 carbon atoms and R is hydrogen or methyl comprising the steps reacting a compound of the formula wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is defined above, with a thioalkanoic acid of the formula R,COSH

wherein R is defined above. heating the resultant product in a neutral media and recovering said steroidal spirolactones; as well as the intermediates.

12 Claims, No Drawings 1 PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF STEROIDAL SPIROLACTONES AND INTERMEDIATES THE PRIOR ART 5 it is known that the elimination of an ester function attached to the ring of a lactone is made by hydrolysis in an acid media or in a basic media followed by a decarboxylation (see, among others, Ficini et al, C. R. Acad. Sci. 1966, 263, 425; Newman et al., I. Am. l0 Chem. Soc., I945, 67, 233; Reid, .1. Am. Chem. Soc., i959, 81, 4632). However, the chemical literature does not mention that such a reaction can take place in a neutral media, particularly without a previous hydroly- In addition, French Pat. No. 1,329,570 and U8. Pat. No. 3,300,489 describe different processes for the production of somewhat similar steroidal spirolactones.

The prior art, therefore, would indicate that the elimination of an ester function attached to the ring ofa lactone was not possible in a neutral media. However, it has been unexpectedly found that this operation is readily realizable and with excellent yields.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is the application of the process of elimination of an ester function attached to the ring of a lactone by heating in a neutral media in the presence of water to produce steroidal spirolactones having the formula I W\\-./'/ D i SCOR wherein R is a linear alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is hydrogen or methyl.

Another object of the present invention is the development of a process for the production of a steroidal :spirolactone having the formula wherein R is a linear alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl comprising the steps of heating a compound having the formula 1 coon 5 wherein R is an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R and R have the above meanings, in a neutral media and in the presence of water, and recovering said steroidal spirolactone.

A further object of the present invention is the obtainingof, as novel intermediates, a steriodal spirolactone ester having the formula SCOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION New processes have now been discovered for the preparation of steroidal spirolactones having the Formula I .LE/ [X wherein R is a linear alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is hydrogen or methyl, characterized in that a steroidal compound having the formula II i /V COOR wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is hydrogen or methyl, is reacted with a thioalkanoic acid having the formula R1 COSH wherein is a-linear alkyl having I to 4 carbon atoms, in order'toobtain a steroidal spirolactone ester having the formula III 1 wherein R, R, and R have the above-assigned meanings, which is transformed into products of Formula I by heating in a neutral media and in the presence of water.

In the above formulas, the'alkyl of R is, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl or tertiary butyl; the alkyl of R is, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl.

The passage of the productsfof the Formula III to products of the Formula I is made in the presence of water and in a neutral media, and consequently, in the present case, without addition of acid or alkaline substances and while operating at atemperature of at least 80C, and more particularly at a temperature between IOOlC and 160C. The use of water at these temperatures conveniently requires operation in a closed vessel, thus under a slight pressure. This pressure depends on the solvent employed as the neutral media and the the temperature with the pressure being the sum of the partial pressures at the temperature employed.

The transformation of the products of Formula llI into products of Formula I is unexpected for the following reasons. The hydrolysis of an ester of Formula Ill would require, according to the prior art, acid or alkaline conditions which would result, in the case of these products, in poor or no yields of the products of Formula I. This is not the same 'under neutralconditions which are employed according to the invention and which lead to the desired products with very good yields. Howeever, at this stage of the process, some difficulties of hydrolysis of the -COOR group would have been expected, accompanied by a partial or total degradation of the acylthio group. It is theorized that the mechanism of this unexpected reaction is the hydrolytic opening of the 'y-lactone with the appearance of the free acid which would decarboxylate on its for mation, then as intramolecular relactonization between the hydroxyl in the 173 position and the ester group on the linear chain, this relactonization occuring with elimination of the alkanol of the ester group.

The following reaction diagram illustrates this transformation:

In the body of the process of the invention, occurs particularly the process for the preparation of the compound of the Formula COOCQHS is treated with thioacetic acid Cl-I COSI-I to get the compounds of the Formula 1",,

I M SCOCH which is transformed into the compound of Formula I by heating in a neutral media and in the presence of water. The transformation of the compounds of Formula III into the compound of Formula l can take place by heating between C and C.

The process of the invention thus allows one to transform products of the general formula III, having an acylthio group in the 7a position, into products of the general formula I under conditions compatible with the presence of this acylthio group, despite the lability of the latter, and this with excellent yields.

. The products of the Formulal are known as interesting products in the therapeutical field (see Burger, 1970, Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd Edition, pages 1001 to 1003). The product of Formula I where R and R are methyl, thus the product of Formula I, is called Spironolactone, and can be utilized for its action on diuresis. In particular, it is utilized in the treatment of certain cardiac afflictions.

In a variant of the process of the invention, one can also operate according to a process characterized in that the preceding products of Formula II are hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions followed by an acidification in order to give products of the Formula II o o & T

if i i wk cooH in which R has the above-assigned values, which is then either l. reacted with a thioalkanoic acid of the formula R COSl-I in which R has the above-assigned values, in order to obtain products of the Formula III IV 2K4 /l 000M wherein R has the above-assigned values and M is an atom of an alkaline metal, preferably an alkali metal, which is treated with a thioalkanoic acid of the formula R, COSH on -c"-coo 2 I H wherein R and M "have the above-assigned values, which is treated with a thioalkanoic acid of the formula R1 h to giveproductsoflthe Formula III which are transformed by heating into products of the Formula I.

The alkaline hydrolysis which is made in order to transform the products of Formula II into products of the Formula II is effected preferably with the aid of an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide in an aqueous media. However, other alkaline reactants may be employed such as potassium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate, the hydrolysis being conducted either in an aqueous media or in a hydroalcoholic media such as water and a water-soluble lower alkanol, for example water and ethanol.

The alkaline bases employed in order to transform the products of the Formula II into alkaline salts of the Formula IV and V are the alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. The transformation of the products of Formula III into products of the Formula I is effected by heating to at least C and more advantageously to a temperature between C and 220C. 7

The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of a steroidal spirolactone of the formula I wherein R, is a linear alkyl' having from I to 4 carbon atoms and R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl comprising the steps of heating a compound having the formula SCOR . 7 7 comprising the steps of heating a compound having the Formula III v 4 SCOCH3 wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl and R is alkyl having I to 2 carbon atoms',' is 'reacted with a trimethylsulfoniuni halide having the formula (CH5) S X wherein X is a halide selected from the group consisting of bromine and iodine, in the presence of a basic agent, the resulting product having'the formula VII wherein R and R have the above-mentioned values, is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenating agent the resulting product having the Formula VIII VIII wherein R has the above-mentioned values, is reacted with a dialkyl malonate having the formula IX wherein alk is an alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the presence of a basic agent, to obtain a compound of Formula II.

In the process, the basic agent employed in the reaction of trimethylsulfonium halide with a product of Formula VI, is preferably an alkaline alcoholate such as an alkali metal lower alkanolate, for example sodium ethylate, but an alkaline hydride can also be utilized such as an alkali metal hydride, for example sodium hydride. The dehydrogenating agent which is used to transform the products of Formula VII into products of Formula VIII is preferably tetrachloro-p-enzoquinone (chloranil), but other halogenated derivatives of pbenzoquinone can be employed, as for example 2,3- dichIoro-S,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone.

The basic agent employed in the reaction of the dialkyl malonate of Formula IX with a product of Formula VIII preferably is an alkaline alcoholate such as an alkali metal lower alkanolate, for example sodium ethylate. However, an alkaline amide or an alkaline hydride, such as an alkali metal amide or an alkali metal hydride, for example sodium amide or sodium hydride, can also be utilized in the reaction.

The epoxides of the Formula VII are in the I7B configuration. The reaction employed for their preparation is stereospecific and gives this isomer exclusively. v v

The alkoxycarbonyl an'd hydroxycarbonyl'(carboxy) functions attached to the lactone ring of the preceding various products are represented as being attached to the ring by a wavy line indicating that the two isomers, a and B, can be obtained and that the compounds obtained are in the form of the mixture of isomers.

The products of the Formula II, where R represents the methyl radical, can also be prepared by a process characterized in that products having the above Formula VII where R is methyl, are reacted with a dialkyl malonate having the above Formula IX in the presence of a basic agent to give products having the Formula XI wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms and R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which are then treated with a dehydrogenating agent to obtain products of the Formula II where R is methyl.

The basic agent employed in the reaction of the dialkyl malonate of Formula IX with the products of Formula VII where R is methyl, is preferably an alkaline alcoholate such as an alkali metal lower alkanolate, for example sodium ethylate. However, an alkaline amide or hydride, such as an alkali metal amide or hydride,

wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R is alkyl having l or 2 carbon atoms, is reacted with a trimethylsulfonium halide of the formula wherein X is bromine or iodine, in the presence of a basic agent, the resulting product of the Formula VII wherein R and R have the above-assigned values, is treated with a dehydrogenating agent, the resulting product of the Formula VIII wherein R has the above-assigned values, is reacted with a dialkyl malonate of the Formula IX alk o c cH, c o ark H ll where alk is a linear or branched alkylhaving I to4 carbon atoms, in the presence of a basic agent, the resulting product of the Formula II wherein R and R have the above-assigned values, is reacted with a thioalkanoic acid of the formula R, COSH wherein R is linear alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the resulting product of the Formula Ill wherein R, R, and R have the above-assigned values, is heated in a neutral media and in the presence of water, and the products of Formula I are recovered.

Thus, in particular, the invention relates to a process for the production of the y-lactone of 7a-acetyl-thiol7,8-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one-2 l -carboxylic acid which comprises the steps of reacting 3-ethoxy-3,5- androstadien-l7-one with trimethylsulfonium iodide'in the presence of sodium hydride, dehydrdgenating the resulting 3 -eth oxyspiro-l7B-oxiranyl-3,5- androstadiene with tetrachloro p-benzoquinone, reacting the resulting spiro,l7,8-oxiranyl-4,6-androstadien- 3-one with diethyl malonate in the presence of sodium ethy late, acylating the resulting Spiro-[(4,6- androstadien-3-one l 7B,2-( 4-e thoxycarbonyl-l I oxa-cyclopentan- 5-"-one)] with thioacetic acid, heating the resulting spiro- [(7,a-acetylthio-4-androsten-3-0ne l7B,2 4'-ethoxycarbonyl-l '-oxa-cyclopentan- 5'-one)] in a neutral=media and in the presence of water, and recovering said 'y-lactone of 7a-acetylthio- 17B-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one-2 I -carboxylic acid.

In addition, the variants of the process of the invention lead from the products of the Formula II to the products of Formula I.

The invention also relates to, as novel intermediates, a steroidal spirolactone ester having the formula SCOR course of the preceding processes or variants thereof and correspond to compounds of the formulas II and 11'. Within the scope of the above are the following compounds:

l a COOH The process according to the invention, as well as the intermediate products produced, permit the preparation of therapeutically interesting products of the steroid series; starting from simple compounds and in a small number of steps, each of which gives a good yield as can be seen hereafter in the examples.

The following examples illustrate the invention without being limitative in any respect. 1

EXAMPLE 1 5o Spiro-[(4,6-androstadien-3-one 1 7,8,2 4 ethoxycarbonyll -oxa-cyclopentan-5 -one Step A 3-ethoxy-spiro-17B-oXiranyl-3,S-androstadiene:

45.2 gm of sodium hydride were placed in suspension androsten-3,l7-dione according to Serini et a1.,' Beru 1938, 71, 1766) dissolved in 1200 cc of tetrahydro furan was introduced. The reaction-mixture was then allowed to return to room temperature and agitated for 15 liters of iced water and agitated for one hour. The

, precipitate formed ,w a s vacuum filtered, washed with .water and dried Th e product was purifieduby recrystal- ,l ization from acetone, which gave, 1 39.7 -gm of 3- ethoxy-spi ro l 7firox iranyl-3l5-androstadiene in the form of colorless crystals. k Melting Point: 1059C 1 [(11 16.l (c=1% in ethanol containing 1% pyridine) w Analysis: CggHggOgI- Calculated: 80.44%. C; 9.82% H; Found: 80.5 10.0% Step B Spiro-17,8- oxiranyl-4.6-androstadien-3-one.

50 gm of the product obtained in the preceding step was placed in suspension in 750 cc of acetone containing 5% of water. 37.5 gm of tetrachloro-pbenzoquinone were added to this suspension in the absence of light and the mixture was agitated for 3 hours at room temperature.

The reaction mixture was poured into 2.5 L of water containing cm3 of 36 Be sodium hydroxide and agitated for one hour. The precipitate formed was vacuum filtered; washed with water and dried.

The product was dissolved in methylene chloride and purified by filtration through alumina. After evaporation of-thesolvent and trituration of. the residue with acetone, 39 gm of spiro-l 7/3-oxiranyl-4.6- androstadien-3-one wereobtained in the form of colorless crystals. I g

Melting Pointr240C 011 +39 (c 0.5% in chloroform Analysis: C H O Calculated: 80.50%; 8.78% H; Found: 80.2%; 9.0%

Step C Spiro-[(3-ethoxy-3,S-androstadiene) -17B,2-

(4'-ethoxycarbonyl-1'-oxa-cyclopentan-5 '-one)] An ethanolic solution of sodium ethylate was prepared starting from 3.15 gm of sodium and cc of ethanol. 45.8 gm of diethyl malonate and 30 gm of the product prepared from Step A were added to this solution. The mixture was heated to reflux for 5 hours, then cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride and agitated 'forone hour. The precipitate formedwas; vacuum filtered, washed with water and dried. i

The product was purified by recrystallization from absolute ethanol, giving 31.6 gm of spiro-[(3-ethoxy- 3,5-androstadiene)-17,3,2-(4'-ethoxycarbonyl-l '-oxacyclopentan-5'-one)] in the form of colorless crystals. Melting Point: 131C Analysis: C H O Calculated: 73.27% C; 8.65% H; Found: 73.0 8.8

Step D Spiro-[(4,6-androstadien-3-one)-17B,2'-(4'- ethoxycarbonyl-l '-oxa-cyclopentan-5 -one An ethanolic solution of sodium ethylate was prepared starting from 5.39 gm of sodium and 350 cc of absolute ethanol. 46.9 gm of diethyl malonate and 35 gm of the product prepared from Step Bwas added to this solution; Themixturewas heated to reflux for 3 hours and then cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured into a solution of gm ofammonium chloride in 875 cc of iced water and agitated for one hour. The precipitate formed was vacuum filtered, washed with water and dried. I,

The product iv a5 ,vby*rcrystallization from absolute" ethanol, givin'gifllfi gm 'of Spiro-[(4,6-

androstadien-3-one)-17a,2 (4"-ethoxycarbonyl-1 oxa-cyclopentan-'-one)] in the form of colorless crystals.

The NMR spectra shows that the product is constituted by a mixture of almost equal parts of each of the isomers at the point of the ethoxycarbonyl substituent. 5 Melting Point: 149C [01], 25 (c=0.5% in chloroform) U. V. Spectra Ethanol A max. at 284 nm; e 26,000

Analysis: C H O Calculated: 72.78% C; 7.81% H; Found: 72.7 7.7

Step D Spiro-[(4,6-androstadien-3-one)-l7B,2'-(4'- ethoxycarbonyl-l -oxa-cyclopentan-5-one 30 gm of the product prepared in Step C was placed in suspension in 300 cc of acetone containing 5% of water. [8.2 gm of tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone was added to this suspension and the mixture was agitated for two hours at room temperature in the absence of light. The reaction mixture was then poured into 1500 cc of water and extracted with methylene chloride. After drying and evaporation of the extraction solvent, the residue was taken up by 280 cc of methylene chloride. The insolubles were filtered and the filtrate was treated with alumina. After elimination of the alumina and evaporation of the solvent, the residue was recrystallized from ethanol. 15.1 gm of spiro-[(4,6- androstadien-3-one 1 7B,2'-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-l oxa-cyclopentan-S-one)] were obtained in the form of colorless crystals. Melting Point: 149C U.V. Spectra Ethanol p. Max. at 284 nm; e 26,000

The product is identical to that described in Step D.

EXAMPLE 2 Spiro-[(4,6-androstadien-3-one l 7B,2'-(4-carboxy- 1 '-oxa-cyclopentan-5 '-one)] 40 gm of the product of Step D in Example 1 were introduced into 200 cc of water containing 200 cc of 40 an aqueous solution of 2N sodium hydroxide. The mixture obtained was agitated for fifteen hours at room temperature, giving an orange colored solution. This solution was cooled to 5C and treated with 70 cc of an aqueous solution of 6N hydrochloric acid. The precipitate obtained was vacuum filtered after one hour of agitation, washed with water and dried.

The product was purified by dissolution in normal aqueous sodium hydroxide and recrystallization by concentrated hydrochloric acid. 35.4 gm of spiro- [(4,6-androstadien-3-one)-1 7B,2'-(4'-carboxyl '-oxacyclopentan-5-one)] was obtained in the form of colorless crystals.

Melting Point: Decomposition starting from 130C [01],, 35 (c 1% in chloroform) U. V. Spectra- Ethanol A Max. at 283 nm; e 25,850

Analysis: C H O Calculated: 71.85% C; 7.34% H; Found: 71.6 7.5

EXAMPLE 3 Spiro-[(4,6-estradien-3-one)-17,B,2-(4- ethoxycarbonyl-l -oxa-cyclopentan-5 '-one Step A 3-ethoxy-spiro-17B-oxiranyl-3,S-estradiene 6 14.3 gm of sodium methylate were placed in suspension in 125 cc of dimethylsulfoxide. The suspension was heated to 60C for 2 hours, then brought to 7C.

50 cc of tetrahydrofuran, 26 gm of trimethylsulfonium bromide and 25 gm of 3-ethoxy-3,5-estradien-l 7-one (prepared according to Djerassi, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1953, 75, 41 17) dissolved in cc of tetrahydrofuran were added to the cooled suspension. The temperature of the mixture was brought to 20C and the mixture was agitated at this temperature for 2 hours. 1 liter of iced water was then added thereto, then the precipitate formed was vacuum filtered and washed with water. The product was recrystallized from ethanol, giving 22.7 gm of 3-ethoxy-spiro-l7B-oxiranyl-3,5-estradiene in the form of colorless crystals.

Melting Point: C

[01],, l77 (c 1% in pyridine) Analysis: C H O Calculated: 80.21% C; 9.62% H;

Found: 79.9 9.7

Step B Spirol 7B-oxiranyl-4,6-estradien-3one While operating as in Step B of Example 1, but while utilizing 20 gm of 3-ethoxy-spiro-l7/3-oxiranyl-3,5- estradiene, 12.3 gm of spiro-17B-oxiranyl-4,6- estradien-3-one were obtained after recrystallization from acetone, in the form of colorless crystals. Melting Point: 184C [11],, 32.6 (c 0.5% in chloroform) Analysis: C H O Calculated: 80.24% C; 8.51% H; Found: 80.5 8.7

Step C Spiro-[ (4,6-estradien-3-one )-1 7,8,2 '-(4- ethoxycarbonyl-l -oxa-cyclopentan-5 '-one )1 While operating as in Step D of Example 1, but while utilizing l 1 gm of spiro-l7B-oxiranyl-4,6-estradien- 3-one, 9 gm of spiro-[(4,6-estradien-3-one)-1713,2- (4-ethoxycarbonyl-1 -oxa-cyclopentan-5 -one were obtained after recrystallization from ethanol, in the form of colorless crystals.

The NMR spectra showed that the product is in the form of a mixture of isomers at the point of the ethoxycarbonyl substituent.

Two supplementary recrystallizations from ethanol gave a single product.

Melting Point: 185C 186C [01],, 130 (C 0.5% in chloroform) Analysis: C H O Calculated: 72.34% C; 7.59% H;

Found: 72.2 7.3

EXAMPLE 4 The disodium salt of 2'carboxy-3 17B-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,6-androstadienl7-yl)-propionic acid.

5 gm of spiro-[(4,6-androstadien-3-one)-17B,2'-(4'- carboxy-l '-oxa-cyclopentan-5-one)] were placed in suspension in 30 cc of water. 1.09 gm of sodium bicarbonate were added and the mixture was agitated for 3 /2 hours at room temperature. The solution obtained was cooled to 0C and 12.7 cc of aqueous N sodium hydroxide was added dropwise. The mixture was agitated for 1 /2 hours at 0C, then for 24 hours at room temperature. The water was then evaporated under vacuum at a low temperature and a white solid was obtained. This was recrystallized by solution in water and precipitation by acetone. 4.28 gm of the disodium salt of 2'- carboxy-3 17B-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,6-androstadien-17- yl)-propionic acid were thus obtained in the form of cream colored crystals.

Melting Point: Higher than 250C U. V. Spectra- Ethanol 0.1N HCl A Max. at 284 nm; e 25,600

15 Analysis: C l-l Na O Calculated: 61.87% C; 6.32% H; 10.3% Na; Found: 61.9 6.0 10.4%

EXAMPLE 5 'y-lactone of 7'oz-acetylthio-17B-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one-21- carboxylic acid. Step A Spiro-l(7a-acetylthio-4-androsten-3one)- 173,2'-(4-ethoxycarbonyl- 1 '-oxa-cyclopentan- 5'-one)] 25 gm of the product of-Example l was placed in suspension in 50 cc of ethanol containing 6 cc of thioacetic acid. This suspension was heated to 65C, giving a yellow solution which is maintained at this temperature for two hours. After cooling, the precipitate obtained was vacuum filtered and washed with cold ethanol. 25.5 gm of spiro-[(7a-acetylthio-4-androsten3-one)- l73,2-(4'-ethoxycarbonyl'l '-oxa-cyclopentan- 5'-one)] were obtained in the form of colorless crystals.

The NMR spectra showed that the product was constituted by almost equal parts of each of the isomers at the point of the ethoxycarbonyl substituent.

Melting Point: 230C [01],, -16 (c 1% in chloroform) U.V. Spectra- Ethanol Max. at 239 nm; e 19,800 Analysis: C H O S: Calculated: 6.56% S; Found: 6.5

Step B a-lactone of 7a-acetylthio-l7B-hydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one-2 l-carboxylic acid.

10 gm. of spiro-[(7a-acetylthio-4-androsten-3one)- 17B,2 -(4 '-ethoxycarbonyl-l '-oxa-cyclopentan- 5"one)], 200 cc of toluene and 20 cc of water were introduced into a one-liter autoclave. The autoclave was closed and brought under agitation to a temperature of 130C to 140C. The pressure attained about 4 kg/c'm The heating and agitation were continued for 16 hours. Then the reaction media was evaporated under vacuum and a gummy residue was obtained which was crystallized by the addition of an equal volume of methanol. The crystals were vacuum filtered and recrystallized two times from methanol. 6.8 gm of the 'y-lactone of 7- a-acetylthio-l 7B-hydroxy4-pregnen-3-one-2 1- carboxylic acid were thus obtained in the form of colorless crystals melting at 140C then, after resolidification, at 210C.

[:1 35 (c 1% in chloroform) U.V. Spectra- Ethanol k Max. at 239 nm; e 19,500

EXAMPLE 6 y-lactone of 7a-acetylthio-l 7B-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one-21- carboxylic acid Step A Spiro-[(7a-acetylthio-4-androsten-3-one)- 17B,2-(4-carboxyl-l '-oxa-cyclopentan-5'-one)] gm of the product prepared in Example 2 were dissolved in 10 cc of thioacetic acid and heated to reflux for 1 hour. After cooling, 10 cc of methanol containing 10% of water was added thereto and the solution obtained was poured into 100 cc of water. Agitation was continued for a half hour at room temperature, then the precipitate obtained was vacuum filtered, washed with water and dried.

The product obtained was purified by dissolution in an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, filtration and reprecipitation by diluted hydrochloric acid. 4.2 gm of I Spiro-1(7oz-acetylthio-4-androsten-3-one)- 1 713,2 '-(4'- carboxyl-l '-oxa-cyclopentan-5'-0ne)] were thus obtainedin the form of colorless crystals. Melting Point: Underwent decarboxylation at C [01],, 7 (c 1% in chloroform) Analysis: 0 11 0 8: Calculated: 65.19% C; 7.00% H; 6.96% S; Found: 64.9%; 7.1; 7.1% Step B y-lactone of 7a-acetylthio-l7B-hydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one-2l-carboxylic acid 1 gm of spiro-[(7a-acetylthio-4-androsten-3-one)- 17B, 2(4-carboxy-l oxa-cyclopentan-S '-one)] was placed in a balloon flash. The balloon flask was heated on'a bath maintained at C. A very clear and rapid decarboxylation was observed. The flask was cooled and the gummy residue obtained was dissolved in methanol at reflux. Crystallization occurred on cooling. The crystals were vacuum filtered and recrystallized from methanol. 278 mg of the y-lactone of 7a-acetylthiol7B-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3one-2l-carboxylic acid were thus obtained in the form of colorless crystals melting at 210C [a],, 34" (c 1% in chloroform) U.V. Spectra- Ethanol A Max. at 238 nm; e 18,900

EXAMPLE 7 'y-lactone of 19-nor-70z-acetylthiol 7B-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one- 2l-carboxylic acid.

Step A Spiro-[(7a-acetylthio-4-estren-3-one)-173,2

(4-ethoxycarbonyl-1-oxa-cyclopentan-5'-one)] By operating as in Step A of Example 5, but by starting with 7 gm of the product obtained in Example 3. 7.1 gm of spiro-[(7a-acetylthio-4-estren-3-one)-l7B,2'(4- ethoxycarbonyl-1-oxa-cyclopentan-5-one)] were obtained in the form of colorless crystals.

The NMR spectra shows that the product is constituted by a mixture of isomers at the point of the ethoxycarbonyl substituent.

Melting Point:.210C U.V. Spectra- Ethanol A Max. at 238 nm; e 20,700

Analysis: 0 11 0 S: Calculated: 65.80% C; 7.22% H; 6.76% S; Found: 65.8%; 7.5%; 6.7%

Step B 'y-lactone of l9-nor-7a-acetylthio-l7B-hydroxy- 4-pregnen-3-one-2 l-carboxylic acid By operating as in Step B of Example 5, but carried out on 2 gm of the product prepared in Step A above, 1.4 gm of the 'y-lactone of l9-nor-7a'acetylthio-17B- hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one-2l-carboxylic acid were obtained in the form of colorless crystals.

Melting Point: 126C-l27C, then after resolidification, 185C [02],, 73.5 (c 0.5% in chloroform) U.V. Spectra- Ethanol A Max. at 237 nm; e 19,750

The preceding specific embodiments are illustrative of the practice of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that other expedients known to those skilled in the art or disclosed herein may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

i l. A process for the production of a steroidal spirolactone havin'g the formula i wherein R is a linear alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl comprising the steps of heating a compound having the formula }i i J L coon p i 1 wherein R is an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R, and R have the above meanings, to a temperature of from 80C to 160C in a neutral media and in the presence of water, and recovering said steroidal spirolactone.

2. A process for the preparation of a steroidal spiro- Ilactone having the formula SCOR comprising the steps of heating a compound having the formula 'scoca to a temperature of from 80C to 160C in a neutral media and in the presence of water, and recovering said steroidal spirolactone. i

3. A process for the production of a steroidal spirolactone having the formula I ;R l

0 scoR wherein R is a linear alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, comprising the steps of reacting a compound having the formula wherein R is an alkyl having I to 4 carbon atoms and R has the above-assigned values, with a thioalkanoic acid having the formula R COSH wherein R has the above assigned values, heating the resulting compound having the formula 1 coon 'scoa 0 o- 11 i l KY) o scon wherein R is a linear alkyl having l to 4 carbon atoms and R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, comprising the steps of subjecting a compound having the formula R2 COOR \l/ wherein R is an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R has the above'assigned values, to an aqueous alkaline hydrolysis in the presence of an alkaline hydrolysis agent, reacting the resulting compound having the formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R has the above-assigned values, Z is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkali metal and M is an alkali metal, with a thioalkanoic acid having the formula R COSH wherein R has the above-assigned values, decarboxylating the resultant 7a-acylthio compound by heating to a temperature of from 80C to 220C and recovering said steroidal spirolactone.

6. A process for the production of a steroidal spirolactone having the formula O v k scoa wherein R is a linear alkylhaving l to 4 carbon atoms and R is a member selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen and methyl, comprising the steps of reacting a trimethylsulfonium halide having the formula wherein a halide selected from the group consisting of bromide and iodide, with a compound having the formula wherein R has the above-asssigned values and R is alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms, in the presence of a basic agent, the resulting product having the formula wherein R and R have the above-mentioned values, is dehydrogenated in the presence ofa halogenated derivative of p-benzoquinone dehydrogenating agent, the resulting product having the formula wherein R has the above-mentioned values, is reacted with a dialkyl malonate having the formula wherein alk is an alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inthe presence of a basic agent, reacting the resulting compound having the formula J coon wherein R is an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and wherein R and R have the above-mentioned values. is 2 has the above-assigned es, With a ofllkanoic dehydrogenated in the presence ofa halogenated derivacid having the formula ativeof p-benzoquinone dehydrogenating agent, the

1 COSH 5 resulting product having the formula wherein R has the above-assigned values, heating the resulting compound having the formula scon wherein R has the above-mentioned values, is reacted wherein R, R and R have the above-assigned values, with a dialky] malonat? having h formula to a temperature of from 80C to 160C in a neutral media and in the presence of water, and recovering said ulk alk steroidal spirolactone. H 2

1. A process for the production of a steroidal spiro- O O lactone having the formula wherein R is a linear alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R is a member selected from the group consisting O of hydrogen and methyl comprising the steps of reacting a trimethylsulfonium halide having the formula wherein alk is an alkyl having from I to 4 carbon 25 atoms, in the presence of a basic agent, subjecting the resulting compound having the formula (CHFJS wherein R is an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and l R has the above-assigned values, to an aqueous alka- T X t a hahqe i from the group cfmslst' line hydrolysis in the presence of an alkaline hydrolysis mg OfbTOmIdC and iodide, with a compound having the agent reacting the resulting Compound having the formula mula selected from the group consisting of R z 0 W T J wherein R has the above-assigned values and R is alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms, in the presence of a basic agent, the resulting product having the formula 'cn -pa-coou COOM wherein R has the above-assigned values, Z is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkali metal and M is an alkali'metal, with a thioalkanoic acid having the formula R COSH wherein R, has the above-assigned values, decarbox;.

ylating the resultant 7a-acylthio compound by heating to a temperature of from 80C to 220C and recovering said steroidal spirolactone.

8. The process of claim 6 wherein R is ethyl R, is methyl, R is methyl and R is ethyl alk is ethyl, X is the iodide. the first basic agent is sodium hydride, the dehydrogenating agent is tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone, and the secondbasic agent is sodium ethylate. V

9. A steroidal spirolactone ester having the formula MWQ Col.

UNITED Sljx'iliS PATENT OFFICE F "wa r w 7n a ffi/WV' P (ERIE-a ICE-Iii Or LQEI ntflQP-l aoe l of Patent No. 897 Dated July 29 J 1975 Inventor(s) JULIEN WARNANT AND JEAN JOLLY It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:-

Line

Formula cannot see 2 1O 1 V SCOR v I J 2 10 Formula I oannot see O SCOR 3 l Formula III cannot see III UNITED STATE PATENT 0mm; CFRTEFECATE 0F COfil-iECliON Page 2 of 9 Pat-ant No. L117 Dated July 975 JULIE'N WARNANT AND JEAN JOLLY lnventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent a and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. Line 3 ll "Howeever" should be -However-- 5 66 After "Formula" insert I-- 25 Formula III cannot see COOH 0/ G A SCOR 5 60 Formula V cannot se 7 /OH 9 CH-CH-COOM v COOM 6 30 Formula I cannot see 0 O scoR Patent No.

Inventor(s) JULIEN WARNANT AND JEAN JOLLY i CGRRECTAJON Page 3 of 9 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:-

Col. Line Formula cannot 'see Formula I cannot see UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Fag u D 9 W e OJ. QERTIFICA'IE 0F CGRBECUGN 6 Patent: No. 3 9 7 Dated July 295 1975 Inventor(s) JULIEN WARNANT AND JEAN JOLLY I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected asv shown below: 01. Line 7 60 Formula VIII cannot see VIII 3 35 Formula VII cannot see 2 VII Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CEITIFICATE O26 IORRECTIGN e 5 of 9 Patent No. Dated y 9, 975

Q Inventor(5) JULIEN WARNANT AND JEAN JOLLY It is certified that error appears in the above-identified parent and that said Letters Patent: are hereby corrected as shown below: 001. Line 9 50 Formula VIII cannot see R2 VIII 10 5 Formula II cannot see III UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFKCATE OF CORBECTlON 6 of 9 Patent No. 7, 7 Dated July 29, 1975 Inventor) JULIEN WARNAN'I' AND JEAN JOLLY It is certified that error appears in the ebove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

001. Line ll 10 Formulaes cannot see kOOC H Q and o I 'V r Y! UNITED STATE) PAihhl (LFICE g 7 OI 9 QERTIHCATEE ()F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,897, 41? Dated July 29. 1975 O Inventor(s) JULIEN WARNANT AND JEAN JOLLY It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 0 Col. Line IN THE CLAIMS 1? 6O Claim 2 Formula cannot see Q SCOCH l8 5 Claim 3 Formula cannot see I 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A STEROIDAL SPIROLACTONE HAVING THE FORMULA
 2. A process for the preparation of a steroidal spirolactone having the formula
 3. A process for the production of a steroidal spirolactone having the formula
 4. The process of claim 3 wherein R is ethyl, R1 is methyl and R2 is methyl.
 5. A process for the production of a steroidal spirolactone having the formula
 6. A process for the production of a steroidal spirolactone having the formula
 7. A process for the production of a steroidal spirolactone having the formula
 8. The process of claim 6 wherein R is ethyl R1 is methyl, R2 is methyl and R3 is ethyl alk is ethyl, X is the iodide, the first basic agent is sodium hydride, the dehydrogenating agent is tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone, and the second basic agent is sodium ethylate.
 9. A steroidal spirolactone ester having the formula
 10. The product of claim 9 wherein Z is ethyl and R1 and R2 are methyl.
 11. The product of claim 9 wherein Z is hydrogen and R1 and R2 are methyl.
 12. The product of claim 9 wherein Z is ethyl, R1 is methyl and R2 is hydrogen. 